Ore concentrator



`Dec. 18, 1951 R. DRELON ORE CONCENTRAI'OR Filed Feb. 3, 1948 Inve//z#0r- Hem/ Ore/027 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1951 ORE CONCENTRATOR RmiDrelon, Clermont-Ferrand, France, assignor to Societe Anonyme dite:Societe Lamex,

Clermont-Ferrand, France Application February 3, 1948, Serial No. 5,975In France February 3, -1947 Gravimetric classifying apparatus for mattervehiculated by a ow of uid are known and established. Apparatus of thistype was essentially characterized by the fact that it was constitutedbyan open draining channel, the lateral sides of which converge in unisonwhile the bottom is-lowered'ir'om up-stream to down stream according toa cylindrical surface the directrix of which is substantially parabolic.In this manner is formed, with respect to the fluid ow, a vertical slitoriginating a lamellar jet or stream. In this jet, the vehiculatedmatter is classified according to its specific weight so that, by meansof cutters arranged within this jet, it is possible to intercept andcollect separately the various sheets formed by matter classified inthis manner.

The present invention has for its object an improvement brought in therealization of the gravimetric classifying apparatus hereinabovementioned.

This improvement aims to realize the automatic control of these devices,when the specic weight of the raw material to be classed varies. Inorder to obtain this result, according to the improvement, object of thepresent invention, the classifying channel, which originates the freejet, and the cutters which select in the latter the various layers ofproducts, are arranged so that their relative positions can be submittedto variations depending on those of the weight of this channel underload; these variations in weight correspond naturally to those of theproducts to be classified. These relative variations in position havetherefore for result to move the jet with respect to the separatingcutters, so that the latter are able to intercept layers of diierentdepths in this jet.

On the appended schematic drawing and given only 'as an example, isillustrated one form of embodiment of the improvement object of theinvention, it being understood that, in this particular case, thechannel moves with respect to the fixed cutters. -In the arrangementshown, the classifying channel I is mounted on a spindle 2 so as to beable to oscillate longitudinally in the same manner as the beam of ascale; this channel I being, on the other hand, submitted to an oppositeforce R. which tends to bring it to a balanced position and to hold itthere.

Due to this arrangement, any overload or any unloading which disturbsthis balance of the channel I causes the latter to occupy a new positionwith respect to the separating cutters 3. If, for instance, the jet goesdown with respect 4 Claims. (Cl. 209-458) 2 to the latter, it is evidentthat the lower layer of products separated by the rst cutterwill havemore importance and inversely.

ItV is to be understood that the pivoting axle 2 could be placed underthe channel I and use, in order to create the opposed force R, anyappropriate mechanical means: counterpoisa compression, spring, etc.acting directly or through the medium of an appropriate mechanicalsystem.

The change of the weight P of the channel I could be used to modify thepositions of the separating cutters 3 with respect to the latter and tothe lamellar jet which it pours. The result obtained would of course bethe same; these two movements could, however, be combined. The systemillustrated uses a lever of the third type. in which the variable powerP is represented by the opposed resistance R by the hanging spring 4.Other realizations could be obtained by utilizing levers of the firstand second type; the

resistance R which constitutes the spring 4 (or equivalent means) beingvariable itself. As a modification, the positions either of the pivotingaxes 2, or, of the application point of the opposed force R could bemodied depending on the change in weight of the weight P of the channel,this being the same as changing the relative lengths of the lever armsL-L' of this oscillating system.

What I claim is:

l. In a gravity concentrator having a chute with a discharge enddefining a vertical slot and having a base sloping downwardly towardsaid 'discharge end and a plurality of parallel partitions disposed atthe discharge end of the chute in the path of the eluent from saidchute, pivot supporting means for said chute disposed at a point beyondthe longitudinal center of said chute in the upstream directionand'adapted to permit vertical angular displacement of said chute,suspension means adjacent one end of the chute adapted to exert avariable vertical force to oppose variations in weight of the materialin the chute, whereby said material effects' controlled verticaldisplacement of s'aid chute relative to said partitions.

2. In a gravity concentrator having a chute with a discharge end deninga vertical slot and having a base sloping downwardly toward saiddischarge end and a, plurality of parallel partitions disposed at thedischarge end of the chute in the path of the eluent from said chute,pivot supporting means for said chute disposed at a point beyond thelongitudinal center of said 3 chute in the upstream direction andadapted to permit vertical angular displacement of said chute, atraction spring disposed between the disr charge end of said chute andthe said pivot supporting means to exert a variable vertical force tooppose variations in weight of the material in the chute, whereby saidmaterial effects controlled vertical displacement of said chute relativeto said partitions.

3. In a gravity concentrator having a chute with a discharge enddefining a vertical slot and having a base sloping downwardly towardsaid discharge end and a plurality of Yparallel parti-yA tions disposedat the discharge end of the chute Y in the path of the effluent fromsaid chute, pivot supporting means for said chute disposed at a pointbeyond the longitudinal center of said chute in the upstream directionand adapted to 4 discharge end and a plurality of parallel partitionsdisposed at the discharge end of the chute in the path of the effluentfrom said chute, pivot supporting means for said chute disposed at apoint beyond the longitudinal center of said chute in therupstreamdirection and adapted to permit vertical; angular ldisplacement of saidchute, suspension means disposed between the discharge end of the chuteand the said supporting means 'adapted toy exert a Variable verticalforce'to oppose variations in weight of the material in the chute,whereby said material effects controlled vertical displacement of saidchute relative to said partitions.

RMI DRELON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the rile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Y 650,138 Smith May 22, 1900657,393 Buss Sept. 4, 1900 1,010,350 Deister Nov. 28, 1911 1,995,433Nelsonv Mar. 26, 1935 2,184,226r Opie Dec. 19, 1939

